If there were ever a time to start an eBay store, it is now. With the recession packing a punch on everyone’s pocket book, more and more people are opting for different means of acquiring goods for their families. It is becoming too expensive for most of us to pay retail store prices, so ebay, thrift stores, and garage sales are serving as viable alternatives. Sadly even thrift store prices are reflecting our ailing economy. And ebay is becoming ever more competitive for buyers, and that is where you come in. Ebay is, what I consider now, a sellers market.
One of the better ways of making a quick buck on ebay is to sell kid’s clothing, specifically clothing for school age children. Kids seem to grow out of their clothes before they are worn out, so not only does selling your children’s outgrown clothes on ebay economical, it is also green. It’s a winning option for buyer and seller. You make some extra dough, buyer receives a needed product without spending an arm and a leg, and less of Earth’s resources are expended. It’s a nice way of recycling and making a little extra money at the same time.
Now for the ‘how to’:
1. You will need an ebay seller’s store. For those of you who don’t already have one, it isn’t that difficult. Go to www.ebay.com, and follow the seller’s tutorials. Ebay does a good job at walking you through the process.
2. Be sure you start a paypal account to go along with your ebay store. Visit www.paypal.com and follow their instructions. Paypal isn’t a necessity, but it offers buyers and sellers more protection than most alternatives. Plus some ebay buyers will not bid on items from sellers who do not allow payments through paypal.
3. Inventory the items you plan to sell. Make sure they are in good condition, and if not, make sure you note any flaws in your listing. (If you misrepresent your items, you will almost certainly receive negative feedback Feedback scores are very important on ebay. They reflect the integrity of your store.)
4. Put comparable sizes together to be sold in a lot.
5. Make sure your clothes are for the correct season. Do not try to sell Winter clothes in the Summer, and vice versa.
6. Take good pictures. Too many times I have seen sellers taking pictures of clothes thrown onto a chair. The more effort you put into the presentation of your product, the better your return will be. If you remember nothing else, remember that presentation is key.
7. Be reasonable with your starting bid and shipping and handling charges. Buyers will be quick to pass up someone who is asking for too much.
8. Pick the right time to end your auction. You wouldn’t want it to end at 2am on a Monday. Very few people are going to be online to get into a bidding war. Even if they choose the automatic bidding option, they will still have their sights set on a maximum price. If they are actively involved in the bidding process, they are likely to bid more.
9. Be very descriptive of your items. If you have brand names, be sure that information is noted in your listing.
10. Be aware of seller’s fees. Selling on ebay is not free.
11. Check out www.auctiva.com to use along with your ebay account. They offer great templates, and you can upload more pictures.
12. Last, but not least: once your lot has completed the auction, and the winning bid is paid, you must prepare your item for shipment. Do not throw your items in a box and ship it out whenever you feel like it. Have respect for your buyer. Think about how you would like to receive items that you had just bought. Be sure clothes are clean and odor free. Place them neatly folded into a box, and for a professional touch, include a copy of the invoice. Ship the item out as soon as possible.
Selling clothes on ebay can be a lucrative experience if you have a needed product, and good presentation.
